Ankle brace

ABSTRACT

A rear entry ankle brace for providing support and stability to an ankle includes a compliant support member covered on both sides by a flexible durable material. The ankle brace is flexible and compliant so as to fit a range of foot, ankle, and leg sizes, and is secured about a leg with a compliant strap. A flexible footbed heel is provided for facilitating walking. An elongate strap is provided for securing the brace to a wearer, wherein the strap is attached at one end to a foot portion of the brace, can be wrapped about the foot portion and a leg portion of the brace, and is removable attachable at an opposite end to the foot portion of the brace.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/687,455 filed Oct. 16, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No.______, the entire disclosure of which is expressly incorporated hereinby reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an ankle brace device, and specificallyto an ankle brace that is easily put on and minimizes interference withwalking.

2. Related Art

Ankle orthoses have become a standard treatment for orthopedic foot andankle problems. Most are bulky and entirely rigid. Typically, aplurality of straps are required for attachment about the foot andankle. These devices are cumbersome and time-consuming to apply anddiminish proprioception while ambulating because the heel is covered bythe device. Further, these devices are difficult to wear with standardfootwear, leaving an individual self-consciously wearing only one shoeand an unsightly brace.

What is needed, but has not yet been provided, is an ankle brace whichis easy to put on, which provides necessary support, which provides acomfortable fit, and which allows for easy walking.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an ankle brace having a rigid member thatextends under a foot and up along sides of an ankle and lower leg. Innerand outer layers surround the rigid member and form a body. The body hasa foot portion including a forward edge defining a toe aperture, afootbed, and a leg portion joined to the foot portion, the leg portionincluding an upper edge, and rear edges extending from the upper edge tothe footbed. The foot portion covers the top of the foot and the legportion covers the front of the lower leg. A fastening strap isconnectable about the leg portion to retain the brace on the foot, ankleand leg of the individual. A flexible heel portion extends from thefootbed. A cushion layer can be provided between the inner layer and therigid member.

The present invention also provides a method for treating an ankleinjury using the ankle brace of the invention. The method comprisescustom forming a rigid member, incorporating the rigid member in a bodyhaving inner and outer layers, inserting a foot, toes first, betweenrear edges of a leg portion of the body; inserting the toes through atoe aperture; placing the foot onto a footbed portion; fastening a strapabout the leg portion to secure the ankle brace to a foot and leg; andwearing the ankle brace on the leg for a sufficient time to treat theinjury. The method further includes allowing the heel to flex tofacilitate walking.

The present invention further provides an ankle brace having a supportmember sized to fit under a foot and extending upward along an ankle andleg of a wearer, inner and outer layers surrounding the support memberand forming a compliant body having a foot portion and a leg portion,and an elongate strap for securing the brace to a wearer. The strap isattached at one end to an upper area of the foot portion, and isconfigured to be wrapped under the foot portion, up and across an ankleportion of the foot and around the leg portion, where it is removablyattachable to the leg portion. The strap includes fastener for removablyfastening the strap to the leg portion of the brace.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other important objects and features of the invention will be apparentfrom the following Detailed Description of the Invention taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the ankle brace of the present invention on afoot.

FIG. 2 is a medial side view of the ankle brace of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a lateral side view of the ankle brace of FIG. 1 positioned ona foot.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the ankle brace of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the ankle brace of FIG. 1 positioned on a foot.

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the ankle brace of FIG. 1 showing afoot entering the rear of the brace.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-section view of the ankle brace of FIG. 1showing the layers comprising the foot portion.

FIG. 8 is a front view of another embodiment of the ankle brace of thepresent invention, wherein an elongate strap is provided for securingfoot and leg portions of the brace.

FIG. 9 is a medial side view of the ankle brace of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a lateral side view of the ankle brace of FIG. 8 positionedon a foot.

FIG. 11 is a rear view of the ankle brace of FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is a rear view of the ankle brace of FIG. 8 in a closedposition.

FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of the ankle brace of FIG. 8 showinga foot entering the rear of the brace.

FIG. 14 is a partial cross-section view of the ankle brace of FIG. 8showing the layers comprising the foot portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The ankle brace of the present invention is provided for stabilizingand/or treating the ankle for ankle injuries and conditions includingposterior tibialis tendon dysfunction, Charcot ankle, Achilles tendonrupture and general ankle instability and derangement. The ankle bracecan be custom made for each patient. The ankle brace provides supportand stability, and controls the motion of an injured foot and ankle byencasing the dorsum of the foot. This ensures proper positioning in thedevice and better mediolateral control of the ankle and arch of thefoot. The ankle brace intimately fits and conforms to the naturalskeletal and muscular structure of the foot.

The ankle brace of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1-7. Theankle brace is generally indicated in the FIGS. at 10. The ankle bracecomprises a foot engaging portion and a leg engaging portion. The anklebrace 10 includes inner and outer layers forming a boot-shaped body 12having an open toe, an open back and a flexible heel. A rigid supportmember 30 is positioned within the inner and outer layers. The rigidsupport is preferably in the form of a single integral member extendingunder the foot to form a footbed portion, and extending up along thesides of the ankle and lower leg.

As shown in FIG. 1, a foot, ankle, and leg 60 are placed into the anklebrace 10. The body 12 has a forward edge 14 through which toes 62 of afoot extend. The body includes a foot portion and a leg portion. Thefoot portion is sized to receive and surround a foot. The foot portionincludes a footbed. The leg portion, as will be described, covers thelower front portion of the leg and partially surrounds the leg. The legportion has an upper edge 16. Strap 40 secures the ankle brace to thefoot and leg. Outer layer 26 is positioned over the rigid support member30.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the ankle brace 10 and rigid member 30 form afootbed 21 which is sized to extend along the bottom of a foot from theball of the foot, under the arch of the foot, to forward of the heel.The rigid support member 30 extends up the sides of the body 12 tosupport the inner and outer surfaces of the ankle and lower leg of anindividual. The rigid support member 30 is formed of a rigid orsemi-rigid material such as plastic.

As can be further seen in FIG. 2, the body 12 has a foot portion withforward edge 14, and a leg portion with a top edge 16 and rear edge 18.The bottom of the foot portion forms footbed 21. The footbed 21 includesa flexible heel 20 to facilitate walking. Flexible heel 20 can bend inthe direction of arrow A when the user of the ankle brace is walking.Outer layer 26 extends over rigid support member 30, and also forms thebottom of the flexible heel. Strap 40, along with leg cover 46, securesthe brace about a user's foot, ankle, and leg.

FIG. 3 shows the ankle brace 10 on a foot. The foot portion of body 12surrounds the foot and ankle. Toes 62 extend past open end 14. Thebottom of the foot sits on footbed 21. The leg portion covers the frontof the lower leg. Upper edge 16 is positioned on leg 60. Rear edge 19extends between the upper edge 16 and heel 20, leaving the back of theheel 61 as well as portions of the back of the leg 60 uncovered by thebrace 10. The rigid support member 30 extends under the foot and up thesides of the body 10, along the ankle and lower leg, and is covered byouter layer 26. Strap 40 and leg cover 46 wrap about the leg to retainthe brace on the leg. The strap can be fastened in any known way such aswith a hook and loop fastening system. One of the hook or loop elements42 is positioned on one end of one side of the strap, and the other ofthe hook and loop fastening system is on the end and other side of thestrap.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are rear views of the brace 10. Inner and outer layers 24and 26 can be seen, and the rigid member 30 is positioned between theinner and outer layers 24 and 26. Rear edges 18 and 19 extend along theleg portion of body 12 from the footbed 21 at the heel 20 to upper edge16. Leg cover 46 wraps about the leg, and is tucked under edge 19, andstrap 40 extends over the cover about the body and is fastened on itselfto hold the brace on the foot and leg, as can be seen in FIG. 5.

While a leg cover is not required, it adds comfort to the brace bydissipating the force of the strap when the strap is tightened andsecured against the wearer's leg. The leg cover can be securely attachedat one end, such as by sewing, onto the body of the brace. It can beattached to the inner layer of the body adjacent to an edge of the openback. It can be made of any suitable material, preferably the samematerial as the inner and outer layers. The leg cover is positioned overthe back of the leg where the securing strap is located. When the braceis applied to the foot and leg, the end of the cover overlaps theopposite edge of the open back of the body of the brace. The strap isthen wrapped about the leg over the leg cover and secured. Accordingly,the leg cover protects the leg from the strap.

As shown in FIG. 6, the ankle brace 10 is placed on a foot by insertingthe foot, toes first, in the direction of arrow B, through the open backof the body 12 defined by the rear edges 18, 19. The toes 62 of the footare inserted through the open toe of brace 10 so that the foot is in thefoot portion of the body 12. The sole of the foot and heel 61 are placedonto the footbed 21 and flexible heel 20. The inner layer 24 bearsagainst the foot, ankle and lower leg, while outer layer 26 can be seenon the exterior. The strap 40 and leg cover 46, if present, are wrappedabout the leg 60 and fastened. The rigid member 30 extends under thefoot and up along the ankle, and lower leg. The ankle brace is worn onthe leg for a time sufficient to treat the injury, or for as long asstabilization of the ankle and leg is required.

A cross-sectional view of the footbed 21 of the ankle brace 10 is shownin FIG. 7. As can be seen, the body 12 includes footbed 21 whichcomprises an outer layer 26, rigid member 30, cushion layer 22, andinner layer 24. Cushion layer 22 is positioned between the inner layer24 and the rigid member 30. Cushion layer 22 extends from the forwardedge 14 to the rear edge of the flexible heel 20. Outer layer 26 coversthe bottom of the rigid member 30. The rigid member 30 extends fromproximate the forward edge 14 to adjacent the flexible heel 20. Theflexible heel 20 comprises inner layer 24, outer layer 26, and cushionlayer 22.

Because the ankle brace provides for rear entry, it is easy to put thebrace on the foot and lower leg. Because the front and sides of thebrace are uninterrupted, the brace provides for better control of theforefoot and ankle. As the foot is placed in the brace, the ankle slidesinto proper position, and is controlled by the medial and lateralportions of the rigid support.

The rigid support member comprises a rigid or semi-rigid material suchas plastic. Any suitable material, such as a thermoplastic, can be used.The rigid support member can be molded to the shape of an individual'sfoot and ankle to provide a custom fit to meet the individual'streatment or stabilization needs. This custom-fitted molding can beperformed prior to manufacturing the ankle brace for a patient. A castof the injured foot is taken and filled with plaster to make a positivemodel. The plaster model is smoothed and shaped and then the brace ismolded over the model. The plastic is heated and becomes more fluid.After it is cooled, the cast is cut off and shaped to the appropriatetrim lines. This type of molding process is well known in the art.

The flexible heel leaves a portion of the back of the heel of the footunsupported by the rigid member. This flexibility, along with the opentoe, provides for a more normal and anatomical gait and also allows thebrace to be comfortably worn with standard footwear because there isless bulk in the rear and front of the brace. The brace may be worn withor without socks or stockings under or over the brace.

The inner and outer layers encasing the U-shaped support member andforming the boot-shaped body comprise a soft durable material such asleather; however, imitation leather, vinyl or other suitable materialscan also be used. The inner and outer layers, as well as cushion layerand the rigid member, can be attached together by an adhesive. Apolyadhesive, such as BARGE, has worked successfully. Additionally, theinner and outer layers can be stitched along on the edges of the brace,and at other locations, to reinforce their attachment.

The cushion layer provides a more comfortable fit to the individual bycreating a soft barrier between the rigid support member and theindividual's foot. The cushion layer may also be positioned between theinner and outer layers in portions of the brace other than areas wherethe support member extends to provide overall comfort to the individualwearing the brace. The cushion layer can comprise foam, gel, fiber ornon-fiber padding, air bladder or other similar material. An example ofsuitable foam is a polyethylene closed cell foam such as PLASTAZOTE®, atrademark owned by ZOTEFOAMS, PLC., Surrey, England.

The strap can utilize hook and loop fasteners, buckles or otherfastening means. For example, loop material can be provided on the outerside of the end portion of the end of the strap attached to the body,and hook material can be provided on substantially all of the inner sideof the strap or only on the inner side of the end portion of the otherend of the strap. The strap can be a separate element or can be securelyattached, such as by sewing, onto the body of the brace. Preferably thestrap is attached to the outer layer of the body adjacent to an edge ofthe open back in the calf region. The strap can be made of plastic,elastic, leather, cloth, vinyl or other suitable material. Preferably,the strap is made of the same material as the inner and outer layers. Ifdesired, more than one strap may be provided.

The following example illustrates the present invention, but is notmeant to limit its scope.

EXAMPLE

The ankle brace of the invention was tested on approximately 102patients having the following conditions: 72 had posterior tibialistendon dysfunction, 10 had Charcot ankles, 12 had Achilles injuries, and8 had chronic ankle instability. The age range of the patients was 14 to82 years with a mean age of 50. The patients were each fitted with acustom-molded ankle brace of the present invention. The patients worethe braces for approximately 12 hours per day. Patients were examinedbetween 3 to 9 months (mean range 6 months), beginning from the time offirst wearing the ankle brace of the present invention. The patientswere asked questions about the status of their condition. All but two ofthe patients showed significant improvement in pain. Approximately 90%of the patients were successfully treated and did not require surgicalintervention.

Referring to FIGS. 8-14, another embodiment of the ankle brace of thepresent invention, indicated generally at 110, is shown, wherein anelongate strap 140 is provided for securing foot and leg portions of thebrace 110. Elements illustrated in FIGS. 8-14 which correspond to theelements described above with reference to FIGS. 1-7 have beendesignated by corresponding reference numerals increased by one hundred.The embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 8-14 operates andis constructed in a manner consistent with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7,unless stated otherwise.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-10, the ankle brace 110 can be fitted to a widerange of foot, ankle, and leg sizes, without customization. The strap140 tightly secures the brace 110 around the foot, ankle, and lower legof a user. Similar to the ankle brace 10 shown in FIGS. 1-7, the anklebrace 110 includes a foot engaging portion and a leg engaging portion.The ankle brace 110 includes inner and outer layers 124, 126, which forma compliant body 112. The body 112 includes an open toe defined by aforward edge 114, an open back defined by rear edges 118, 119, and aflexible heel 120. The body 112 could be manufactured from a flexiblematerial such as neoprene, or any other suitable material. The body 112is flexible and compliant so as to conform to a wide range of foot andleg sizes.

A flexible, shaped support member 130 is positioned within the inner andouter layers 124, 126. The support member 130 includes a footbed 121,which extends under the bottom of the body 112 and is sized to receive awearer's foot, and medial and lateral support members 132, 133,respectively, which extend up the sides of the body 112 to support theankle and the lower leg of the wearer. The support member 130 isgenerally U-shaped in cross-section to conform to the shape of awearer's ankle and heel. The medial and lateral support members 132, 133could include contoured sections 134, 135, which conform to the shape ofa wearer's ankle. For example, the contoured section 134 could be shapedto be positioned on the medial malleolus prominence 163 of a wearer'sankle (see FIG. 10), and the contoured section 135 could likewise beshaped to be positioned on the lateral malleolus prominence 164 of thewearer's ankle (see FIG. 13). A jog or bend in the medial and lateralsupport members 132, 133, as shown, can achieve this ankle support.Alternatively, the medial and lateral support members 132, 133 couldextend straight down to the foot bed 121. The support member 130 ispreferably formed as a single, integral member, but could bemanufactured from separate components. The support member 130 could beformed from a semi-rigid material, such as carbon fiber. Further, theinner and outer layers 124, 126 could be manufactured from neoprene orany other suitable material.

As shown in FIGS. 8-10, a foot, ankle, and leg 160 is placed into theankle brace 110. As can be seen, the toes 162 of a wearer's foot extendthrough the forward edge 114 of the body 112. The leg portion of thebody 112 covers the lower front portion of the leg and partiallysurrounds the leg. The leg portion includes an upper edge 116 and rearedges 118 and 119. The elongate strap 140, when properly fastened aboutthe ankle brace 110, urges all of the elements of the ankle brace 110together to snugly and comfortably secure the ankle brace 110 to thefoot, ankle, and leg 160 of a wearer, thereby providing therapeuticsupport. The strap 140 could be made from neoprene or other suitable,flexible material. Preferably, the strap 140 is made from the samematerial as the inner and outer layers 124 and 126. Also, more than onestrap could be provided. The strap 140 is attached at one end to anupper region of the foot engaging portion of the ankle brace 110 (i.e.,above the midfoot of a wearer's foot).

As can be seen in FIGS. 9-10, the footbed 121 is sized to extend alongthe bottom of a foot from the ball of the foot, under the arch of thefoot, to forward of the heel. The footbed 121 includes a flexiblefootbed heel 120 to facilitate walking. The footbed heel 120 of thefootbed 121 extends rearward of the intersection of the rear edges 118,119 and the footbed 121. The footbed heel 120 can bend in the directionof arrow A (see FIG. 9) when the user of the ankle brace 110 is walking.The outer layer 126 extends over the support member 130, and also formsthe bottom of the footbed 121. Optionally, a leg cover 146 could bepositioned between the strap 140 and the wearer's leg, so as to provideadditional support and/or comfort. The leg cover 146, if provided, couldbe attached along the edge 118 of the body 112, and an opposite end ofthe cover 146 could be tucked under the edge 119 of the body 112.

The foot portion of the body 112 surrounds the foot and ankle of thewearer. The toes 162 extend past the open end 114. The bottom of thefoot sits on the footbed 121. The leg portion covers the lower leg ofthe wearer. Upper edge 116 is positioned against the leg 160. The rearedges 118, 119 extend between the upper edge 116 and footbed heel 120,leaving the back of the heel 161 as well as portions of the back of theleg 160 uncovered by the brace 110. The support member 130 extends underthe foot and up the sides of the body 112, along the ankle and lowerleg, and is covered by the outer layer 126.

The strap 140 can be fastened after a user has inserted the foot, ankle,and leg 160 into the ankle brace 110, and after the cover 146 (ifprovided) has been tucked under edge 119. As shown in FIG. 8, the usercan wrap the strap 140 with his/her hand around the lateral side of thebody 112, and underneath the footbed 121. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, thestrap 140 can be extend against the medial side of the body 112 and overthe upper forefoot area of the body 112. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, theuser can wrap the strap 140 back around the lateral side of the body112, over the lateral support member 133. Then, the strap 140 can bewrapped about the rear of the wearer's leg, over the leg cover 146, ifprovided, and then the strap 140 can be fastened to the ankle brace 110.The strap 140 can be releasably fastened in any suitable way, such aswith a hook and loop fastening system 142 as shown in FIG. 9.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are rear views of the brace 110. The inner and outerlayers 124 and 126 can be seen, and the support member 130 is positionedbetween the inner and outer layers 124, 126. The rear edges 118 and 119extend along the leg portion of the body 112, from the footbed 121 atthe footbed heel 120 to the upper edge 116. The leg cover 146 isattached along an edge to the body 112, and can be wrapped about therear of a wearer's leg. During use, an opposite edge of the leg cover146 can be tucked under edge 119, and the strap 140 can be extended overthe cover 146 and fastened on the body 112, as can be seen in FIG. 12.

As shown in FIG. 13, the ankle brace 110 is placed on a foot byinserting the foot, toes first, in the direction of arrow B, through theopen back of the body 112 defined by the rear edges 118, 119. The toes162 of the foot are inserted through the open end 114 of brace 110 sothat the foot is in the foot portion of the body 112. The sole of thefoot and heel 161 are placed onto the footbed 121 and footbed heel 120.The inner layer 124 bears against the foot, ankle and lower leg 160,while the outer layer 126 can be seen on the exterior of the body 112.The strap 140 and leg cover 146 (if present) are wrapped about the leg160 and fastened in the manner described above.

FIG. 14 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the footbed 121 of theankle brace 110. As can be seen, the footbed 121 is formed from theouter layer 126, the support member 130, a cushion layer 122, and theinner layer 124. The cushion layer 122 is positioned between the innerlayer 124 and the support member 130. The cushion layer 122 extends fromthe forward edge 114 to the rear edge of the footbed heel 120. The outerlayer 126 covers the bottom of the support member 130. The supportmember 130 extends from proximate the forward edge 114 to adjacent theflexible heel 120. The footbed heel 120 comprises inner layer 124, outerlayer 126, and cushion layer 122.

The inner and outer layers 124, 126, as well as cushion layer 122 andthe support member 130, can be attached together by an adhesive. Apolyadhesive, such as BARGE, has worked successfully. Additionally, theinner and outer layers can be stitched along on the edges of the brace,and at other locations, to reinforce their attachment.

The ankle brace 110 can be manufactured to accommodate various sizeranges, such as small, medium, and large, and sold off the shelf inretail stores or the like. As such, a user could purchase an ankle brace110 having an appropriate size range (e.g., small) off the shelf at aretail location. Then, the strap the ankle brace could be used tofurther adjust the size of the ankle brace 110 to provide a comfortableand secure fit.

Various details of the invention may be changed without departing fromits scope. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferredembodiment of the invention and the example are provided for the purposeof illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation, theinvention being defined by the claims.

1. An ankle brace comprising: a support member sized to fit under a footand extending upward along an ankle and leg of an individual; inner andouter layers surrounding the support member and forming a body having afoot portion including a forward edge defining a toe aperture and afootbed, and a leg portion including an upper edge and rear edgesextending from the upper edge to the footbed; and a strap for wrappingabout the foot portion and leg portion so as to secure the brace to anindividual, the strap attached at one end to an upper region of the footportion and removably attachable at an opposite end to the leg portion.2. The ankle brace of claim 1, wherein the footbed is sized to extendfrom a ball of the foot to a heel portion of a foot.
 3. The ankle braceof claim 1 further comprising a footbed heel portion.
 4. The ankle braceof claim 3, wherein the footbed heel portion comprises inner and outerlayers and a cushion layer positioned therebetween, for allowing thefootbed heel portion to flex to facilitate walking.
 5. The ankle braceof claim 4, wherein the cushion layer comprises foam.
 6. The ankle braceof claim 1, further comprising a leg cover attached at one end to thebody, the leg cover positionable between the strap and a wearer's leg.7. The ankle brace of claim 1, further comprising a cushion layerpositioned between the inner layer and the support member.
 8. The anklebrace of claim 7, wherein the cushion layer comprises foam.
 9. The anklebrace of claim 1, wherein said strap further includes a hook-and-loopfastener for removably fastening the strap to the leg portion.
 10. Theankle brace of claim 1, wherein the inner and outer layers of the bodycomprise neoprene.
 11. The ankle brace of claim 1, wherein the supportmember comprises carbon fiber.
 12. The ankle brace of claim 1, whereinthe support member is U-shaped in cross-section.
 13. An ankle bracecomprising: a foot engaging portion for receiving a foot in the form ofa foot cover including a footbed, a forward edge, and a footbed heel; aleg engaging portion extending from the foot engaging portion, the legengaging portion in the form of a leg covering including a top edge andrear edges extending from the top edge towards the footbed defining anopening; a support member in the footbed and extending from proximatethe forward edge to the footbed heel, the support member furtherextending up the leg engaging portion; and a strap for wrapping aboutthe foot engaging portion and leg engaging portion so as to secure thebrace to an individual, the strap attached at one end to an upper regionof the foot engaging portion and removably attachable at an opposite endto the leg engaging portion.
 14. The ankle brace of claim 13, whereinthe foot engaging portion and the leg engaging portion comprise a softdurable material which encases the support member.
 15. The ankle braceof claim 14, wherein the soft durable material comprises an inner layerwhich lines the interior surface of the foot engaging portion and theleg engaging portion, and an outer layer which covers the exteriorsurface of the foot engaging portion and the leg engaging portion. 16.The ankle brace of claim 13, further comprising a cushion layer betweenthe inner layer and the support member.
 17. The ankle brace of claim 16,wherein the cushion layer comprises foam.
 18. The ankle brace of claim13, wherein the footbed heel portion comprises inner and outer layers ofsoft durable material and a cushion layer therebetween, for allowing thefootbed heel portion to flex to facilitate walking.
 19. The ankle braceof claim 13, wherein the strap further includes a hook and loopfastening system for removably fastening the strap to the leg engagingportion.
 20. A method of attaching an ankle brace to a wearer's legcomprising the steps of: providing an ankle brace having a foot portion,a leg portion, and a strap attached at an end thereof to an upper regionof the foot portion; inserting a wearer's foot into the foot portion ofthe brace; positioning the leg portion of the brace against the wearer'sleg; wrapping the strap underneath the foot portion and about the footportion and the leg portion of the brace; and attaching an opposite endof the strap to the leg portion of the brace to secure the brace to thewearer.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of attaching theend of the strap to the leg portion of the brace further comprisesremovably fastening the end of the strap to the leg portion using a hookand loop fastening system.
 22. The method of claim 21, furthercomprising choosing an appropriately sized ankle brace for an individualand securing the strap about the brace to tighten the brace about a footand leg of an individual.